Green with envy

It's the era of going green, at least for most everyone except the few who deny that climate change is a problem. Saks Fifth Avenue has joined the cause and has launched a division of its Web site devoted to eco-friendly fashions. The site shows that you don't have to sacrifice style to go green. This Song dress is a great example, it's simply stunning in white for $189.

Fantasy League week nine

MY PICKS FOR WEEK NINE: After last week's surprise results I'm not at all sure who's going to be in and who will be out this week. I think Rami, Jillian and Christian will make it to New York Fashion Week, but beyond that I'm at a loss, so I'm flying blind here. I'm going to go with Jillian as the winner this week. I believe she's going all the way to the end, and for that to happen she must win a challenge. I'm going to stick to my guns and pick Ricky to go home. He has no cohesive vision, he has to go home. It's a no for Kors' favorite expression, and I will once again pick Ricky to cry.

Week eight results are in...

I don't know if I've ever been more wrong about the outcome of an episode before; I never would have picked Victorya to go home and Ricky to WIN? It's unbelievable, and pretty wrong, to be honest. I understand the concept of having each challenge be winner takes all, loser out, but it penalizes really talented people who happen to have a bad day. Take Tre from "Top Chef," as another example. Not that Victorya was the cuddliest person on the show or that I feel that sorry for her, but she's a better fashion designer than Ricky. If Ricky were to design a collection I feel like I have no idea how it would look, whereas I do get Victorya's vision. Jillian was also undone by denim in this week's challenge, and Sweet P and Rami rose to the top. I would buy Sweet P's dress right now, and Rami's rocked. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tough week all around. Everyone finished with eight points, except for Rachel, who got 15 for picking Victorya to go home, a stroke of clairvoyance, because that was not expected! The grand total for the season so far is I've got five wins, Kate has two and everyone else has one. It's a great time for someone to go on a winning streak and take the top prize!

Fantasy league week eight

MY PICKS FOR WEEK EIGHT: It's getting close to the end, and Ricky is still there. It's so wrong, all I can do is hope the judges finally come to their senses this week. I have a feeling Ricky will somehow escape the ax once more, but out of principle I'm going to stick with him as my pick to go home. As for the winner, I think Jillian will finally come out on top this week. I don't think Michael Kors will say mother of the bride this week, but I do think Ricky will cry, hopefully when he's sent home!

Week seven results are in...

It was designer team vs. designer team this week on "Project Runway," with plenty of catfights and power struggles to keep things interesting. Jillian and Victorya joined forces to make a stylish trenchcoat, but they had to flip a coin to decide the team leader since neither would willingly take direction from the other. Rami and Sweet P were a combustible mix, as Rami revealed a not-too-flattering controlling side, and Sweet P suffered the consequences. Kit and Ricky teamed up to form team-who-cares, and it turned out the judges really didn't, as Kit ended up being sent home for her Scarlett O'Hara creation. Chris and Christian were "team fierce," as they combined to be great partners and great co-designers. The dress they made was a waterfall of ruffles that was really beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen Nina Garcia smile at a creation before, and she could barely contain herself. Christian won, and despite last week's miserable performance, is one of the frontrunners to win the whole thing. Oh, and the guest judge was Alberta Ferreti. the designer of Scarlett's gown, at left. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: We had only a small group this week, with myself coming in first place with 18 for picking Christian as the winner. Rachel was a hair behind with 12. She didn't pick Chris, but he was part of the winning team and shares in the victory for our purposes. Julia and Kate were just shy of that with 8 and 7, respectively. All in all I've won five weeks, Kate is in second with two wins, and Angy, Julia, Brad and Andrea have all got one win.

The doctor is in

The day I got my first pair of Doc Martens in high school was a very big occasion. I picked them up in a little store in Greenwich Village on a school trip to New York City. They were purple, and I was in love. My second pair I found at a shop in Birmingham, Ala. They were blue square-toed boots and I was no longer in love, just in like. The infatuation had faded, and very soon it would fade for the rest of young America, as Doc Martens became a memory, much like "Singles" and my old flannel shirts. I'd been reading that the British standbys were on the verge of a comeback, but it was still pretty shocking to see this pair at www.freepeople.com. I'm thrilled, though I don't think it's possible to do a trend the second time around. If you want to give it a try, they'll work perfectly with the short floral dresses on the way for spring. And don't forget the Pearl Jam.

Sometimes beauty is only skin deep

Jessica Alba gave a revealing interview in the latest issue of Elle where she didn't hesitate to speak her mind about all sorts of things. She slights Eva Mendes as not being able to greenlight a project like herself, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry, as well as "Dark Angel," the Fox series that gave her her first leading role. Also not spared are Paul Walker, her co-star in "Into the Blue," and many of the cast and crew of her latest film, "Good Luck Chuck." I'm all for speaking one's mind, but not if it hurts someone, and definitely not in a major magazine if it has said impact. Anyway, she still looks pretty in a dress, which is why she was named to this week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list. Also appearing on the list are a dressed-down Kirsten Dunst and Katie Holmes channeling a classier version of Posh Spice at The Critics Choice Awards.

Fantasy league week seven

MY PICKS FOR WEEK SEVEN: This is a tough one, because it's a team challenge this week. The only teams I could discern from the preview were Sweet P and Rami and Victorya and Jillian. On the face of it I really like the Victorya/Jillian team, but both have strong personalities and they could really clash. Because Christian came so close to going home last week I'm going to say he comes back strong. I'm going to chance it and pick him to win, because there's a chance he could be stuck with Ricky, who I'm going to pick to go home. I am stunned that Ricky is still in it, to be honest, and I really want him to go. It is time. I'm going to go with a no for mother-of-the-bride, though I do think it will return at least once more before the end of the season. As for tears, yes, I do think someone will cry because of the tension of working in teams. I'm going to go with Sweet Pea.

Kind of blue

THE HUE FOR YOU: My favorite color combination is blue and white, and with spring clothes starting to hit the shelves, there's no better time to shop for dresses and blouses reminiscent of the California coast. What better color mix than one inspired by the ocean and the sky? And almost everyone looks great in white because it's such a complexion brightener, and it's the most versatile color to mix and match. So take a dip in the colors of nature. Clockwise from left: Nanette Lepore "Mille Baci" dress, $250 at www.nordstrom.com; Free People colcha top, $98; Banana Republic floral smock blouse, $68; Gap chambray trapeze shirt, $44.50.

SJP would be sorry

The critics have been far from impressed with "Cashmere Mafia," the latest show from Darren Star, "Sex and the City" producer, and SATC stylist Patricia Field. They're not wrong, It's a far cry from SATC, not least because of the lame name of the show. It's about four friends in New York City who are stylish, self-absorbed, stuck-up and super rich. The problem is that, for the most part, the characters aren't believable and the ones that are aren't very likable. On the face of it the writers would like to believe it's about female empowerment, but you don't have to be a bitch to have a successful career or to get what you want. A lesson the SATC characters learned again and again.

Enviable abode

GWYNETH'S GORGEOUS HOME: Metropolitan Home magazine's last cover story before the magazine folded was on Gwyneth Paltrow's summer house in the Hamptons. It's a gorgeous home, with a beautiful pink blossom glass chandelier and a standalone yoga/pilates studio in the backyard. It's pretty spectacular, yet definitely sickening, and totally enviable. Known for her simple and classic style, Paltrow's home reflects those tastes, and is decorated in cool tones with a lot of blue and white. Her home is as indicative of her style as her wardrobe, which is a good start for inspiration if you're struggling with how to decorate your home. Take a look at your closet, see what colors your attracted to, what shapes you like and what fabrics appeal to you, and start from there.

Keeping warm

This time of year I always start to get bored with cold-weather dressing. There are only so many ways to keep things interesting with pants and skirts and boots. I always start to eye my summer clothes waiting for the day when I'll get to wear them again. A good way to indulge in that feeling while avoiding frostbite is pairing shorts with tights. It requires a bit of judgment though, this look definitely doesn't work with all shorts, or all tights. Unless you're feeling really good about your legs, black tights are easier to pull off than light-colored ones, and the look is best with shorts that hit a couple of inches above the knee so you don't look frumpy. A cuffed dress short is nice to try this with. You can wear either boots or heels for two totally different effects. Since you're most likely to wear this look on a weekend, boots are probably your best bet.

Week six results are in...

There's nothing like prom to bring back bad memories and to bring out bad fashion, and there was plenty of both this week. Poor Chris relived his senior prom, when he sat home drinking by himself and watching old movies, but at least his dress was a lot nicer than his memories. Christian, Rami and Kevin all made especially hideous dresses for different reasons. Christian's was an aesthetic disaster, Rami's was made for a 40-year-old woman and Kevin's looked like something off the rack at Forever 21. The judges liked Victorya's best, but I was pretty torn between hers and Sweet P's. Sweet P has had some bad weeks, but when she makes a dress it's always cute. The short blue minidress she made with Elise is still my favorite look of the season. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tough week, as no one was able to pick the winner or the loser with Kevin's surprise dismissal. Kate, Julia and I all tied for first place with eight points each, and everyone else had three points. The total results are I've won four weeks, Kate is in second with two wins, and Julia gets her first win, tying with Brad, Angy and Andrea.

Are you 'kid'ding?

I love "The Wizard of Oz" as much as the next person, but dressing up as the tin man is something I would only consider doing on Halloween. It would probably rank just above Toto as far as evening wear inspiration is concerned. So it is with great dismay that I give you Nicole Kidman, who in a moment of insanity took red carpet dressing to a whole new level. How she made this week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list is beyond me. The editors must be really into "The Wizard of Oz." Really into it. For something a little more pleasing to the eye, check out Jacquetta Wheeler and Jessica Joffe, who pull off the controversial legging look with style, and Elettra Rosselini, granddaughter of Ingrid Bergman, in a swingy spring-like skirt.

Project Runway week six

MY PICKS FOR WEEK SIX: It seems harder to make picks as the field gets whittled down, maybe because many of the designers left are so talented? I'm going to pick Jillian as the winner, finally. She's really impressed the judges, and I think her Twizzler dress will still be in the judges mind from last week. I think Sweet Pea, Chris and Ricky are all on the chopping block, but I'm going to go with Chris to go home. I originally thought Ricky, but after thinking of the challenge, and how they will be making prom dresses, I think Chris might make more of a costume than an actual dress and will be sent packing for it. I don't think Michael Kors is going to say MOB this week, and yes, Ricky does cry, as we've seen in the previews!

Week five results are in...

The designers had a tasty challenge this week when they had to make an outfit using items found only in the Hershey store in Times Square. Most of the designers used fabric from Hershey's collectible items, but Jillian took the brave route and used Twizzlers. Zac Posen was the guest judge this week, and was almost as deliciously catty as Michael Kors. Rami was top designer this week with a cool wrap dress, and eccentric Elise was sent home for making silver arm ruffles, which were as hideous as they sound. FANTASY LEAGUE RESULTS: It was a tough week for picks this week, as no one was able to pick the winner. Andrea, Kate, Brad and Rachel Sheedy nabbed five points each, and I was the winner with 12 points for picking Elise as the loser. The official tally is I've won three weeks, and Kate, Andrea, Angy and Brad have each won one week. So it's still anyone's game, but since we're at the halfway point it's getting tight!